Director General/Executive Director
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
UNODC is a proud member of the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.
I thank the friends of the task force for holding this discussion on how we can advance our efforts and support countries in achieving related SDG targets.
The high-level meeting is an important opportunity to put the spotlight on the need for better management and prevention to support health and well-being.
Comprehensive interventions based on science, and properly resourced with a commitment to continuity of care, can go a long way in addressing the health burden of non-communicable diseases in the most effective, as well as cost effective, manner.
Investing in better management includes improving detection, screening and treatment of non-communicable diseases, including substance use disorders.
It also includes providing access to palliative care, with the use of controlled medicines to adequately address the pain management needs of patients.
UNODC has participated as a member of the Task Force for a number of years, and our Office has taken an active role, including through:
UNODC stands ready to further advance our work with the Task Force to help countries meet the global target of a twenty-five per cent relative reduction in the risk of premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2025, and the SDG target of a one-third reduction in premature deaths such diseases by 2030.
These targets can only be met with a balanced health approach that addresses access to controlled medicines for patients in pain, and a systematic approach to substance use prevention and treatment based on science.
This event can help to support our efforts to achieve these objectives by raising awareness and promoting discussion and shared solutions.
My thanks to our UN and civil society partners, and to the Russian Federation, Sri Lanka and UAE for organization this event.
Allow me to conclude by congratulating the winners of the 2017 Task Force awards.
Thank you.